7-in-one: Phelps on top of the world

Fellow American Katie Hoff shattered a seven-year-old record in the women’s 400m medley, touching in 4:32.89 ahead of Russia’s Yana Martynova and Australian Stephanie Rice. In total, 14 world records tumbled in Melbourne.

But Phelps’ quest for eight gold medals was cruelly ended when the United States 4x100m medley relay team was disqualified in the heats after Ian Crocker was judged to have left the blocks early.

“Training wise and racing wise, this is probably the best moment I’ve had,” said the 21-year-old, who has set four individual world marks here and one with the freestyle relay team. “I didn’t expect to be two seconds under the world record. I saw at 150m I was 0.1 under the record. It’s the last race and I wanted to finish off strong.”

His medal tally surpassed the six Ian Thorpe won at the 2001 event in Japan to make Phelps the most decorated swimmer in championship history with 20 medals, taking the mantle from Hackett who has 18.

Australia’s Libby Lenton was also firing, grabbing her fifth gold of the meet, the most ever by an Australian woman, by touching first in the 50m freestyle in 24.53. Sweden’s Therese Alshammar was second and Dutchwoman Marleen Veldhuis third.

With the eight days of swimming wrapped up, the United States easily topped the medal table with 20 gold to Australia’s nine.

An underprepared Hackett handed his 1500m crown to Poland’s Mateusz Sawrymowicz, adding to his losses in the 400m and 800m. It prevented the Australian becoming the only swimmer to win five titles in the same event.

Australia’s Liesel Jones failed in her attempt to win a unique 50-100-200m breaststroke treble, finishing second to America’s Jessica Hardy (30.63) over the fast and furious 50 sprint. Another American, Tara Kirk, came third.

With the US out of the men’s medley relay final for the first time in championship history, Australia capitalised to in gold in 3:34.93 ahead of Japan and Russia.